Amavasya on 1st June, 2011 !! Vishnu Puranam - The Lunar Dynasty !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

In Vishnu Puranam,   Parasara Bhattar narrates the Lunar Dynasty  to Maithreya.

Atri was the (manasa Putra)  son of Lord Brahma .  He had a son Chandra - The King of Lunar Dynasty (Grand son of Lord Brahma ).  Chandra performed Rajasuya Yagna and successful completion of the Yagna made him  grew arrogant.  He abducted the wife of Deva Guru Brihaspathi.  After many attempts to get back his wife - Tara, a war was broken out between them.  Shukracharya, who was not in good terms with the Deva Guru Brihaspathi, provided all the assistance to Chandra.   Sage Brihaspathi, had all the support of Lord Shiva and Lord Indra.

The war broke out between Chandra and Brihaspathi on Tara came to known as ' Tarakamaya war'.  The terrible war brought threat to the entire universe.  All the deities approached Lord Brahma to put an end to it.  Lord Brahma intervened and the war was stopped.  At the end, Tara was returned to Brihaspathi.

Chandra had ilicit relationship with Tara and they had a child Budha.  Later, Budha married to Ila and they had a son Pururuva.  Deities Mitra and Varuna cursed the celestial dancer - Urvasi, as a result she came down to Earth and started to live like an ordinary human being.  Pururuva married  to Urvasi under a condition that her two sheep would be tied up to her bed, if anyone of them had stolen or lost, she would go back to Heaven.  Pururuva readily agreed to this condition and married Urvasi.  They lived a happy life for sixty thousand years.  The beautiful bondage between the couple made Urvasi had no desire to go back to heaven.  The Gandharvas in the heaven felt lonely without Urvasi and they made a secret hostile plan against her.  They had stolen the two sheep’s.   Her promise to her husband was broken and  had to return to Heaven.  As a result of  the lovely marriage with Urvasi, the couple had six children and the elder one was Ayu.

Jahnu was born in line of Pururuva.  Once Jahnu noticed a bowl filled with the Holy  water – Ganga, which was kept for Yagna purpose.  He drank up the entire water, later Devarishi requested to restore Ganga.  Thus the holy river Ganga got her  name ' Jahnavi'. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam - The Rituals !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

According to Vishnu Puranam there are important rituals should be performed during the life span of a man.




The rituals starts exactly from the day of birth.  The Namakaranam - (The naming ceremoney) on the 10th day of Birth followed by Anna Prasnam, Mundanam (Tonsure), Yajopaveetham, Marriage, Gruhapravesam it goes on...and on...Till the end of ones life known as last rites - The death Ceremoney.

Vishnu Puranam also describes the types of marriages performed according to the nature of  Varnas such as Brahman, Divya, Arsha, Prajapathya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa and Paischacha.

Some of the practices are one should worship  Lord, Sages, Brahmin, Cows and Gurus on daily basis.  Be Truthful and respectful  and should not hurt anyone by words or actions.  Should not be envious or jealous at other's prosperity and should not enter into a burning house or climb up the top of the trees.   One should be away from the evildoers and wild animals.   One should put into practice of  closing  mouth while yawning.   One should pray to Lord before  leaving home.  And  one has to follow serveral rituals  before  gettting married.

When the final journey takes place,  as a preparation for the last rite the body  of the deceased should be bathed and garlanded.  The body should be burnt out of the village.  All the funeral rites should be strictly observed for the  peace of departed soul.  The 'Gaya Sraddham' is an another  way one can perform the funeral rites of the departed soul.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam - The Four Stages/ Ashrama Dharma !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam is  23,000 verses into Six Cantos.  It describes the Ashrama Dharamas - there are Four Ashramas : Brahmacharya Ashram, Grahastha Ashram, Vanaprastha Ashram and Sanyasa Ashram to be followed by a man.

According to Bavishya Puranam - Yajnopaveetham(threading ceremony )  - For a Brahmin Boy  should be performed before Eight Years.  Eleven Years for a  Kshatriya Child and  Sixteen for a Vaishya child.   An Unmarried Man should wear 3 threads of Yajopaveetham and it becomes Six for a Married Man.

During Brahmacharyashrama, immediately after the Yajopaveetham , the child has to be sent to attend lessons on Veda under the custody of a Guru (a learned scholar).   He should listen to his Guru as long as he is with him.  He should pay respect and obeisance to the Guru and keenly follow all the instructions by him.  During this period, the child has to attend Guru's commands and follow him with utmost respect.  Duties involved are the daily rituals, reciting Veda and attending all the requirements of the Guru  .  When the Guru is thoroughly convinced about the knowledge of the child, when he attains the  maturity, the boy is sent for the next Stage -  Grahasthashram.

During Grahasthashrama, getting married and earning livelihood as described in the Puranas.  Serve the God through Sacrifices and daily rituals,  Serve the Guest with food and shelter, Serve the Rishis by reciting Vedas, Serve Lord Brahma by producing children of good virtues and finally serve the entire world with Truthfulness. An  Unhappy guest leaves all his/her sins with the householder and takes away the good karmas of householder .  Many years of completing the Grahasthashrama after fulfiling the entire responsibilities, a person leaves for Vanaprastha.

Vanaprastha is the third stage of leading life as a forest-dweller.  At this point of time, he leaves the entire wealth to the heirs and leaves to  the Forest.  He can be followed by his wife or can leave under the custody of his children.  He lives in the Forest (hermitage), eats fruits to waive off hunger, leaves all the comforts behind and devotes his time to Meditation.  During this period, he keeps away from all the actions like cutting hair , shaving beard , etc..

At the final stage of Sanyasashram he is ready to leave his children, wife and all  material possessions absolutely.  He keeps moving from one place to another, performs Yoga (to make a communion with the God), he never stays more than one night in a village and five nights in a city.  A final journey in search of 'BRAHMAM'.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam - Kali Yuga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam describes the Kaliyuga as follows:

During the period of Kali,  no one follows Varnashrama Dharma.  The disbelief in rituals and customs takes place.  The relationship with the Acharya (Guru) lessens to a large extend and gives no importance at all.  People become more materialistic and will be ready to adopt any meanest way to attain  wealth.  Women folks are interested only in 'hairdo'.  People will become more selfish and mean in fulfilling their desires.  The guests will not be entertained and properly taken care of (beware !!). Money earned in evil means are spent for one's comforts and luxuries, still yearns for money and feels dissatisfied.

No one follows the simplest way of living such as bathing before meal.  All the Varnas follow the lifestyle of Shudras.  Worship of Lord will not take place. Human Life span will be reduced to Twenty, at the early age of 12, children had to undergo the sign of old age.  The human physical growth will be reduced.  Women folks do not follow the instructions of their husbands.  The Kings will not take care of the Kingdom, instead he makes the life of the people miserable by imposing Taxes. Evil takes its own bizarre form.

The only one positive thing left to save us at this age of Kali, that is 'Nama Sankeerthanam' 'Chanting the names of Lord' and listening to 'Divya Nama Sankeerthanam'.   With little Tapasya - a day's Tapasya does wonders in life.  During the previous Yugas such as Sathya Yuga,Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga lot of Thapasyas and Sacrifices have to be done in order to acquire Blessings from the Lord.  Ten years Tapasya in Sathya Yuga, One year Tapasya in Treta Yuga,  One month Tapasya in Dwapara Yuga is equal to One day's Tapasya in Kali Yuga.

Women folks are really fortunate in acquiring the Blessings of the Lord, by serving their husbands.  Men  have to follow all the righteousness to acquire any Blessings.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam - The Four Varnas !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam describes the Four Varnams such as Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, their duties and responsibilities.  It also tells  about Four Ashsramas such as Brahmacharyam, Grahasthashram, Vanaprastham and Sanyasa. 

Brahmana originated from the Mouth, so the responsibility is also high in terms of other Varnasa.  Kshatriya originated from the Chest, Vaishyas from the Thigh and Shudras from the Feet of Lord Brahma.

A Brahmana's responsibilities are: Give and take alms (Biksha), Study Vedas and perform Sacrifices for the welfare of the Universe, Should not make trade of what he has learnt . 

A Kshatriya should  give alms to a Brahmin  and protect the performance of sacrifices.  A major responsibility of protecting one's own country lies in his shoulder.  The duty of a King is to make sure of the welfare of his Kingdom and its  people and protect them from their enemies.

A Vaishya undertakes the responsibility of Trade and Agriculture only.  He also has to give alms to a Brahmin and perform sacrifices for the welfare of the Earth.

A Shudra performs the duty of serving the three Varnas above said.  He can also make livelihood out of trade.

The common factor underlying in all four Varnas are Honesty, Cleanliness, Hard-work and Kindness.  A Brahmana can even take up the trade or the responsbility of a Vaishya and should never mix up with the responsibility of a Shudra.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Vishnu Puranam - Who is Lord Yama? !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vishnu Puranam describes a conversation between Maithreya and Sage Parasara Battar.  Maithreya was anxiously enquiring Sage Parasara about the transition of soul to Hell and how could avoid getting caught into it.  Sage Paradasara narrates that immediately after the death souls were exiled to the hell under the custody of Lord Yama and impel them into different categories of hells according to the sins committed in their life.  They undergo the punishments for several years, after a certain period of time the souls were released for re-birth.

 

 

Nakula had the same queries to clear with his grandfather Bhishma Pitamaha, He narrates the conversation between Lord Yama to his servant as answer to the queries.  Lord Yama makes a clear statement that he is not an independent entity in this Universe.  He works under the supervision of Lord Sriman Narayana.   After the death of a person it is the responsibility of Lord Yama to propel soul into Hell for the sins committed.   There are 28 types of hell and each one of them are horrifying than anyone could ever imagine. The different type of hells are Athighora, Raudram, Ghorathama, Dukhajanani, Ghoraroopa, Tharanthara, Bayanaka, Kaalaratri, Ghatothkata, Chanda, Mahachanda, Chandakolahala, Chandaprachanda, varagnika, Jaghanya, Avaraloma, Bhishini, Nayika, Karala, Vikarala, Vajravinshti, Astha, Panchakona, Sudhirga, Parivartula, Sapthabauma, Ashtabhauma and Dheergamaya.   Lord Yama strictly emphasizes to his servants that not to detain devotees of Lord.

 

 

 

Lord Yama explains the method to distinguish a person is a true devotee of Sriman Narayana. Who does not deviate from the righteousness according to their Varnashrama, who does not differentiate friends and enemies, one whose heart is free from Anger, Jealousy and Pride, one who does not hurt others by action or words and more importantly whoever chants the name of Lord constantly.   In this manner they achieve heartwarming personality.   Lord Yama insists to stay away from those who had completely surrendered to the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!